Cyndi Munson
Cyndi Munson | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2023 | |
| Minority Leader of the Oklahoma House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office November 16, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Emily Virgin |
| Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 85th district | |
| Assumed office September 17, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | David Dank |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 24, 1985 Monterey, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of Central Oklahoma (BA) University of Nebraska, Lincoln (MS) |
Cyndi Munson (born May 24, 1985) is an American politician who has served as a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 85th district since 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, she has served as minority leader of the Oklahoma House of Representatives since 2022.
In 2015, Munson won a special election to replace David Dank, securing over 54% of the vote and becoming the first Asian American to serve in the Oklahoma State Legislature. Prior to her election, the district, which includes parts of Oklahoma City, had been held by Republicans. She is a candidate for governor of Oklahoma in the 2026 election.
Early life and education
[edit]Munson was born in Monterey, California and raised in Lawton, Oklahoma.[1] Munson's father was a member of the military. Munson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Central Oklahoma and Master of Science in leadership education from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. As an undergraduate, Munson participated in a program in non-profit and voluntary services at Georgetown University.[2]
Career
[edit]Prior to entering politics, Munson has worked as a non-profit executive.[3] Munson first ran for the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2014, but lost to the incumbent.[4] Munson was elected to the Oklahoma House in 2015, the first Asian-American to serve in the Oklahoma Legislature. In 2019, Munson was selected to serve on the Oversight Committee for the Legislative Office for Fiscal Transparency.[3] In 2022, Munson succeeded Emily Virgin as minority leader of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.[5] She was the first Asian American nominee for Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.[6]
In April 2025, Munson announced her candidacy for Governor of Oklahoma.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ "Asian Avenue magazine - November 2015". Issuu. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
- ^ "Representative Cyndi Munson - Oklahoma House of Representatives". www.okhouse.gov. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
- ^ a b "New Oklahoma State Representative Sworn into Office". KTUL. Associated Press. September 16, 2015. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
- ^ Felder, Ben (July 6, 2023). "Oklahoma Democrats, a once powerful party, look to rebuild". The Oklahoman. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ Felder, Ben (December 24, 2022). "Cyndi Munson, the new Democratic House leader, sees a path forward for her party". The Oklahoman. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
- ^ Krehbiel, Randy (January 8, 2023). "Political notebook: After long climb, state tax revenue leveling out". Tulsa World. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- ^ Media, Griffin (April 15, 2025). "Oklahoma House Rep. Cyndi Munson announces run for governor". KOTV-DT. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
- 1985 births
- 21st-century American women politicians
- 21st-century members of the Oklahoma Legislature
- Asian American and Pacific Islander state legislators in Oklahoma
- Democratic Party members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
- Georgetown University alumni
- Living people
- People from Lawton, Oklahoma
- People from Monterey, California
- University of Central Oklahoma alumni
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln alumni
- Women state legislators in Oklahoma